# Dual names given to the mass squared differences in neutrino oscillation experiments?

1. Apr 14, 2012

### Doofy

In neutrino oscillation the probability a neutrino changing its flavour depends on the difference between the squares of the masses of the neutrino mass eigenstates. For example, the squared-mass difference between the mass states $\nu_{1}$ and $\nu_{2}$ is denoted $\Delta m^2_{12}$.

However, I keep reading stuff that refers to the neutrino source used in the experiment when it talks about the mass difference, for example, in solar neutrinos it is $\Delta m^2_{sol}$.

Am I right in thinking that whenever I see $\Delta m^2_{sol}$ it will always mean $\Delta m^2_{12}$ etc.?

2. Apr 15, 2012

Re: Dual names given to the mass squared differences in neutrino oscillation experime

I can't immediately locate a definitive answer, but I think you are right for Δm2sol. But one textbook I have uses the definition

Δm2atm = m32 - 1/2 (m12 + m22) ​

3. Jun 2, 2012

### Doofy

Re: Dual names given to the mass squared differences in neutrino oscillation experime

I don't suppose you know why it is that $\Delta m_{sol}^{2}$ refers to $\Delta m_{12}^{2}$ and not some other mass^2 difference ?

What I mean is, the sun's reactions produce $\nu_{e}$ and fewer of them arrive at earth than expected, implying oscillation is happening. However, they only have a few MeV of energy, so when these solar neutrinos reach a detector, they cannot undergo CC interactions as $\nu_{\mu}$ or $\nu_{\tau}$ since they lack the energy required to produce the relevant charged lepton. That means you don't know whether they are turning mostly to $\nu_{\mu}$ or $\nu_{\tau}$.

Am I right in thinking that, since you can express $\nu_{e}$ as

$\rvert \nu_{e} \rangle = cos\theta_{12}cos\theta_{13} \rvert \nu_{1} \rangle + sin\theta_{12}cos\theta_{13} \rvert \nu_{2} \rangle + sin\theta_{13}e^{-i\delta} \rvert \nu_{3} \rangle$

you can approximate $sin\theta_{13} = 0$ and $cos\theta_{13} = 1$ so that you just deal with

$\rvert \nu_{e} \rangle = cos\theta_{12} \rvert \nu_{1} \rangle + sin\theta_{12} \rvert \nu_{2} \rangle$

and just neglect any oscillation to $\nu_{\tau}$, ending up with a two-neutrino treatment where the only parameters you have are $\Delta m_{12}^{2}, \theta_{12}$?

4. Jun 5, 2012

Re: Dual names given to the mass squared differences in neutrino oscillation experime

Yes, that's exactly why $\Delta m^2_{sol}$ means $\Delta m^2_{12}$.

With atmospheric neutrinos you are starting with $\nu_\mu$, so even with the approximation $\theta_{12} = 0$ you still have to take account of the $\nu_3$ state.

5. Jun 5, 2012

### Doofy

Re: Dual names given to the mass squared differences in neutrino oscillation experime

is it still a valid analysis given that we now know that $theta_{13}$ is non-zero though?

6. Jun 6, 2012

BTW apologies for the typo in my previous post, I did of course mean $\theta_{13}$, not $\theta_{12}$.